Minnesota · Itasca County
Swan Lake Fishing guide
Swan Lake is a 2,456-acre lake in Itasca County, Minnesota, reaching 65 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 14.1 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 13 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Excellent numbers7.3per gill net13"Typical27"Biggest
Lengths measured · 111 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 111 fish
2025Lengths measured · 107 fish
2018Lengths measured · 76 fish
2013Lengths measured · 95 fish
2009Largemouth bassJust a few8.9per hr (electrofishing)6"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 23 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 23 fish
2025Lengths measured · 21 fish
2009Lengths measured · 7 fish
2005Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 4 fish
2000Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Northern pikeFair numbers7.3per gill net21"Typical30"Biggest
Lengths measured · 114 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 114 fish
2025Lengths measured · 124 fish
2018Lengths measured · 122 fish
2013Lengths measured · 113 fish
2009BluegillJust a few11.3per trap net6"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 399 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 399 fish
2025Lengths measured · 15 fish
2018Lengths measured · 30 fish
2013Lengths measured · 224 fish
2009CrappieJust a few1.9per trap net5"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 46 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 46 fish
2025Lengths measured · 4 fish
2018Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 7 fish
2013Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 22 fish
2009Yellow perchOne of the best around48.7per gill net6"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 790 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 790 fish
2025Lengths measured · 134 fish
2018Lengths measured · 553 fish
2013Lengths measured · 856 fish
2009Rock bassExcellent numbers2.4per seine haul7"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 15 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 15 fish
2025Lengths measured · 45 fish
2018Lengths measured · 29 fish
2013Lengths measured · 49 fish
2009Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear, so the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, only presence and size are listed. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey.
How to fish Swan Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 14.1 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- Early summer
- Walleye are setting up on the outside weed edge, points and shallow structure.
- Summer
- Walleye are working the weed edge, points and any wind-blown structure. On a lake that drops to 65 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows.
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth. At 14.1 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- Early summer
- Pike are on the outside weed edge and points.
- Summer
- Pike are on the deep weed edge and points near the coolest water they can find. On a lake that drops to 65 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Pike are on the last green weeds and the breaks beside them, feeding heavily as the water drops.
Season patterns for each species. Open the live map for today's wind, light and water temp.
Size history
Biggest fish by survey year
| Survey year | Walleye | Northern pike | Largemouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 27" | 30" | 18" |
| 2018 | 28" | 36" | — |
| 2013 | 27" | 37" | — |
| 2009 | 22" | 38" | 19" |
| 2005 | 26" | 33" | 18" |
| 2000 | 26" | 30" | 18" |
| 1995 | 28" | 38" | 18" |
Longest fish measured by DNR survey crews in each year's nets. Survey gear samples the population, so the lake usually holds larger fish than any survey measured.
Suggested tackle
What to bring
Top presentations for this lake's structure and clarity:
Walleye · Live bait
Live-Bait (Lindy) Rig + Leech/Crawler
jumbo leech or half a nightcrawler
Walleye · Trolling
Leadcore Line + Crankbaits
4–5" mid-diving crankbait behind a long leadcore run
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Northern pike · Muskie & pike
Soft Rubber (Bull Dawg / Medusa)
10" soft rubber body bait
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Free Rig
Creature bait or magnum finesse worm
Full setups, including hooks, weights and line, are on the live map. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
DNR stocking records
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Stocked |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Walleye | 800,000 fry |
| 2024 | Walleye | 741,600 fry |
| 2023 | Walleye | 741,600 fry |
| 2022 | Walleye | 741,600 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 741,600 fry |
| 2019 | Walleye | 741,600 fry |
| 2018 | Walleye | 1,235,000 fry |
| 2017 | Walleye | 1,235,000 fry |
| 2016 | Walleye | 1,235,000 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
Swan Lake is a 2,472-acre lake located on the south side of Pengilly, MN. There is one public access and the shoreline is highly developed with almost 500 homes/cabins. The lake management plan lists Walleye and Northern Pike as the primary species of management. In 2005, a 17-to 26-inch protected slot length limit with only one Walleye over 26 inches in possession was implemented. In 2020, the Walleye regulation was modified to 20 to 24 inch protected slot length limit with only one fish over 24 inches in possession to better align with other area lakes. The 2025 standard survey was conducted to help evaluate management activities, including the special Walleye regulation and current stocking strategy.
A noticeable expansion of the Bluegill population has occurred in Swan Lake in recent surveys. Trap nets are effective at sampling Bluegill during the spring and early summer but Bluegill, particularly larger fish, often move offshore during the summer resulting in lower trap net catches. In 2025, gill nets captured Bluegill throughout the lake for the first time. Bluegill ranged from 3.4 to 10.3 inches and averaged 7.1 inches. Roughly 40% of the sampled fish were 8 inches or longer. Nine age-classes were documented with fish ranging from age 2 to 12. Growth was fast compared to other lakes with similar habitat and Bluegill averaged 8.0 inches after six years.
Read the full DNR narrative
Northern Pike gill-net catches were low from 1948 through 1975 but have been above average in all but one survey since. In the last five surveys, catches exceeded the management goal of 5.0 fish/net and was 7.3 fish/net in 2025. Higher catches are not desirable because they often result in slower growth and poor size quality for pike. In 2025, pike ranged from 17.0 to 30.3 inches and averaged 22.3 inches. The size structure goals were not achieved. Fish from age 2 to 8 were documented with the 2022 year-class representing 61% of the sample. Pike growth was similar to statewide averages with fish averaging 22.8 inches after four years.
Smallmouth Bass were sampled in Swan Lake for the first time in 2025. The outlet of Swan Lake becomes the Swan River that eventually flows to the Mississippi River (potential source of the Smallmouth Bass). There is a dam about a mile from the western basin of Swan Lake that likely restricts upstream fish movement under most conditions. Six Smallmouth Bass were sampled; five fish from gill nets ranged from 13.4 to 18.0 inches while the one sampled in trap nets was 4.7 inches. Local residents confirmed the presence of Smallmouth Bass is a recent development for the lake.
Walleye catches have fluctuated from a low of 2.0 in 1985 to a high of 11.1 fish/gill net in 1954. The 2025 Walleye catch of 7.3 fish/net achieved the management goal of 6.6 fish/net. The size distribution was quite diverse; with good representation of smaller fish in the sample. Walleye ranged from 7.5 to 27.4 inches and averaged 14.7 inches.
Annual Walleye fry stocking at lower densities appears to be providing consistent recruitment and a diverse size distribution. Eleven year-classes were documented with fish from age 1 to 16 years old. Age-2 and 3 Walleye represented 18 and 32% of the sample. Walleye averaged 14.5 inches after four years of growth. Anglers should have good fishing opportunities based on the number and size of Walleye sampled.
Yellow Perch catches have fluctuated from a low of 10.4 fish/net in 1954 to a high of 63.0 fish/net in 1984. The catch declined to a low of 8.9 fish/net in 2018 but rebounded to 48.7 fish/net in 2025. Yellow Perch ranged from 4.7 to 9.1 inches and averaged 6.3 inches. Few fish over 8 inches were sampled. The perch population is likely more important to the fish community as a prey source than for anglers to target.
Tullibee can be difficult to sample but are important to fish communities as a prey source. Catches have been as low as 0.9 fish/net and as high as 22.1 fish/net since 1948. The catch of 1.6 fish/gill net in 2025 was down from 3.9 fish/net in 2018. Tullibee ranged from 9.3 to 19.0 inches and averaged 14.1 inches. Tullibee were not age, but it appears at least two age-classes were present based on the size distribution.
Other species observed during the survey included Black Crappie, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Burbot, Common Shiner, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rock Bass, Shorthead Redhorse, Silver Redhorse, White Sucker and Yellow Bullhead.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Swan Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Swan Lake from guides, tournaments and regular anglers. Anything posted in the last two weeks also bumps the matching spots on the live map, so you'll see a "matches a recent report" tag on them.
Public water access
Getting on the water
- Swan Lake (trailer launch)
- Swan Lake Fishing Pier (fishing pier)
DNR bathymetry
Swan Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Lower Panasa Lake · 248 ac · 2.8 mi
- Hart Lake · 328 ac · 3.2 mi
- Ox Hide Lake · 123 ac · 3.4 mi
- Snowball Lake · 145 ac · 3.7 mi
- Upper Panasa Lake · 148 ac · 3.7 mi
- Twin Lake · 147 ac · 3.8 mi
- Lammon Aid Lake · 63 ac · 4.1 mi
- O'Brien Lake · 539 ac · 4.9 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Swan Lake?
Swan Lake reaches 65 ft at its deepest point; about 21% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Swan Lake?
Swan Lake covers 2,456 acres with about 17.5 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Swan Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Swan Lake average 14.1 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Swan Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Swan Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Swan Lake have a public access?
Yes. Swan Lake has 2 public access sites, including Swan Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Swan Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 27"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1995.
When was Swan Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Swan Lake in 2025, the most recent of 13 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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